The installation of 102-year-old Prince Smart David Gbenebitse as the 7th Olare-Aja (oldest man) of Itsekiri community in Sapele has done more than add another chapter to Itsekiri traditional succession. It has reopened old questions about identity, territory and authority in a town whose history sits at the intersection of multiple ethnic narratives.
Sapele, administratively carved into Sapele Local Government Area and historically linked with Okpe Local Government Area, forms part of Okpe Kingdom, under the reign of His Royal Majesty, Major General Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), Orhue I, CFR, mni, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom. For the Okpe people, this status is not merely ceremonial; it represents ancestral ownership and political sovereignty.
For the Itsekiri, however, Sapele is also home to a long-established Itsekiri population whose cultural identity remains firmly tied to the Warri Kingdom under His Majesty, Ògíamẹ̀ Atuwatsé III, CFR, the Olú of Warri. Within this context, the Olare-Aja is viewed internally as a community head, a custodian of customs and a liaison figure, rather than a monarch or territorial ruler.
It is precisely this difference in interpretation that fueled weeks of public debate and sporadic protests before the installation. Okpe groups argued that installing an Itsekiri traditional titleholder in Sapele amounted to an indirect assertion of kingship and land rights. Some protests, both physical and online, warned that such actions could destabilise long-standing arrangements in the town.
Despite the opposition, the installation went ahead, drawing Itsekiri chiefs, elders and youths who described the event as an internal cultural matter, not a political statement. Yet symbolism matters in Delta State’s complex ethnic landscape. Titles, stools and ceremonies often carry meanings far beyond their immediate intent, especially in areas with unresolved land and identity disputes.
Immediate Implications
In the short term, the installation has heightened tension in Sapele. While there has been no major breakdown of law and order, the atmosphere remains cautious. Security agencies have increased vigilance, aware that seemingly minor incidents could escalate if exploited by ethnic entrepreneurs or political actors.
There is also the risk of economic fallout. Sapele’s commercial life — from markets to small-scale industries — thrives on inter-communal coexistence. Prolonged tension threatens to disrupt livelihoods and discourage investment in a town already grappling with economic challenges.
The Longer View
Looking ahead, the greater danger lies in entrenchment. If the Olare-Aja issue hardens into a symbol of ethnic rivalry, it may resurface repeatedly — during elections, land disputes, or government appointments. History in Delta State shows that unresolved traditional questions rarely fade away; they lie dormant until triggered by new events.
There is also the institutional question. Without clarity on how non-indigenous traditional titles coexist within another kingdom’s territory, similar controversies are likely to recur, not only in Sapele but in other multi-ethnic towns across the state.
The Path to Stability
Peace in Sapele will not be sustained by silence or force. It requires deliberate engagement. First, there is a need for a clear, public distinction between cultural leadership and territorial authority, jointly communicated by traditional institutions involved. Ambiguity breeds suspicion.
Second, the Delta State Government has a role to play as a neutral arbiter — not by taking sides, but by facilitating dialogue between Okpe and Itsekiri leaders, backed by clear administrative and legal guidance on land and chieftaincy matters.
Third, community-level confidence-building measures are essential. Joint development initiatives, inclusive town forums and youth engagement programmes can shift attention from symbolic disputes to shared economic and social goals.
Beyond the Stool
The Olare-Aja installation has become a mirror reflecting deeper anxieties about belonging and recognition in Sapele. Whether it becomes a footnote in the town’s history or a flashpoint with lasting consequences depends on what happens next.
What is required now is restraint, clarity and leadership, from traditional rulers, political authorities and community influencers alike. In a state where diversity is both a strength and a challenge, Sapele’s experience may yet offer a lesson: that peace is not maintained by denying identity, but by managing it wisely within a shared civic space.
